Truck



Sept. l, 1931. w. c. HEDGCOCK TRUCK Filed Oct. 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l @#5656 Wdm C H @@MM/ @E Sept. l, 1931. w. c. HEDGcocK TRUCK Filed Oct. 24. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept.i 1, 1931 NT @FFEQE WILLIAM C. EEDGCGCK, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T AMERC'N STEEL FO'UNllztllils OF CHICGG, ILLINOIS, A CORPTGN 0F NEW' JERSEY TRUCK Application tiled October 24, 1927. Serial No. 228,180.

This invention pertains to trucks, and more particularly to the suspension of the various parts of railway truck assemblies.

In truck desi for railway ears and the like, it is desira le to provide as sturdy and compact a structure as possible but not with the sacrifice of riding comfort or stability. Further, the bending moments in the supportin parts must be kept low but clearance o and in the structure must be maintained within certain limits.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide truck constructions for railways wherein the transom is indirectly supported l5 by the side frames.

Another object is to provide a column support wherein the resilient mountmgs thereof are spaced a maximum. distance apart consistent with a minimum width of 2@ frame bolster opening.

A further object is to provide a truck so constructed that the arrangement of parts of the truck reduces the bending moment on the side frames and the bending action on the transom.

Still further object is to provide a sturd effective and inexpensive truck assemb y which fulfills all requirements of manufacture and service.

view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawin s and claims appended hereto.

n the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a fragmentar side elevation of a truck side frame embo ying the inven- 4 tion;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation through the transoms, bolster, spring plank and associated parts, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a fravmentary top plan view of the transoms, bolster and assembled parts, all in accordance with the invention; and

5' Figure 4 is a side elevation of the parts With these and various other objects in shown in Figure 3, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 1..

As both sides of the truck assembly are substantially the same, it may be well to note that this description a plies equally Well to both sides of the truck even though only one side is shown and particularly described.

The side frame 10, preferably of integral construction, 'is substantially truss-shaped. and is provided at either end with journal boxes 11. rl`he frame is formed with a top chord member 12 connected to the ends of the frame by means of sioping chords 13, and the bottom chord 1.4 of the frame is connected to the ends by means of the sloping chords 15, the chords 13 and 15 being so arranged as to provide lighteni holes 16 which may he formed with a rein orcing 70 flange 17 The top chord 12 together with a reinforcing flange 18 serves as a connection for spaced vertical column guides 19, which guides are connected to the bottom chord member 1li throu h chord 20. The bottom 75 chord 14 is provi ed with upwardly extending dowels 21 serving as a positioning means adJacent the seats of coil springs 22 disposed between the bottom chord and seats 23, which may also be provided with positioning dowels 24, of the transom yoke 25. This member 25 is provided along its edges with columns 26 adapted to slidingly cooperate with the column guides 19, it being understood that the yoke 25 is held in 85 a predetermined position by means of the compression springs 22.

The yoke 25 serves to connect transoms 27 which are preferably spaced wider apart as at 28 adjacent their center, topermit of the 90 application of a proper center bearing 29 to the bolster 30, said bolster being provided adjacent the ends thereof with a seat and connecting means 31 for preferably elliptic springs 32, said springs being also secured to spring seats 33 on the spring plank 34. These springs are of such proportions and are so disposed that the outer ends thereof may extend between the spaced coiled springs 22, which it will be readily understood is of considerable advantage as the springs 32 then are spaced a maximum distance apart.' The spring plank 34 is also provided preferably adjacent the seat 33 'with a seat 35 for the reception of a support 36 attached at either end to swing hangvsprings 32 will tend to right the car body to vertical position, brackets 39 being provided to limit the movement of the spring plank and conse uently the car body.

It will t erefore be appreciated that with the construction shown, the coiled springs 22 are spaced a maximum distance apart consistent with the minimum width of the bolster openings in the side frames and a maximum length of column guide so that the maximum spacin of the springs materially reduces the bending moment in the side frame, and as the elliptic springs may be disposed farther apart due to the fact that a part of them extends throu h the side frame, this serves to reduce t e bending moment in the transom bolster, which on account of its limitations in general form, is not adapted particularlyv to carrying heavy loads.

It is to be understood that I" do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device illustrated, which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as other and various forms of the device will of course occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim: 1

1.- In a truck, the combination of trussed side frames having upper and lower chords', spaced U-shaped column guides between said chords, transoms, transom yokes having columns intertting with and slidably engaging said guides, coil springs supported on the frame lower vchord and resiliently supporting said yokes, a bolster, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said transoms and spring plank, and leaf springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank and so disposed that the ends t ereof project beyond said frames between the spaced coil springs and their cooperating yoke portions.

2. In a truck, the combination of side frames having tension and compression members, spaced column guides disposed between said tension and compression'members and adjacent said compression member, transom members, transom yokes connecting said transom members and provided with spaced columns slidably intertting with said column guides, spaced coil springs disposed between and supporting said yokes on said frame tension members, a bolster supported on al spring plank by outwardly proecting leaf springs extending between sai coil springs and column guides and between said. frame tension and compression members, and swing hangers disposed between and cooperating with said spring plank and transoms.

' 3. In a truck, the combination of. side fra-mes having connected tension and compression members, the tension member having seat forming portions, spaced column guides adjacent said compression member, a transom, yokes on said transom having columns slidably intertting with said column guides, resilient means disposed between said columns and said seat forming portions, a bolster, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said spring plank and transom, and flexible means disposed between said bolsterand spring plank and extending between said resilient means and outwardly of the side frames.

4. In a truck, the combination of side frames having tension and. compression members comprising sloping and parallel chords,chords connecting said tension and compression members to form a truss therewith, spaced column guides between said parallel chords and formed integral with the compression and connecting chords transom members, a substantially U-shaped yoke having columns'cooperatingly interfitting with said column guides, the legs of said U-shaped yoke providing spring seats, springs disposed between said seats and seats disposed on the parallel tension chord, a bolster disposed between said transom members, "a spring plank, swing vhangers pivotally mounted on said transom members and spring plank, and leaf springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank vand extending between the legs of the U-shaped yoke and the springs supporting said yoke to a point outside said side frames.

5. In a truck, the combinationof side frames having tension and compression members comprising sloping chords and parallel chords, chords connecting said tension and compressionchords'to form a truss therewith, spaced substantially U-shaped column guides integral with said compression parallel chord and said truss forming chords, a transom having an inverted substantially U-shaped yoke, the legs of said yoke forming seats and having column members slidingly fitting in the U-shaped column guides, resilient means mounted on said seats and on seat forming portions of said parallel tension chord, a bolster, a spring plank, swinghangers pivotally supporting said spring plank on said transom, and leaf springs disposed between and cooperating with said bolster and spring lank, said springs extending between said egs of said yoke and between said resihent means to a point beyond said frames.

6. In a truck, the combination of side frames having tension and compression members comprising sloping and parallel chords, chords connecting said tension and compression members to form a truss therewith, spaced substantially Ushaped column guides integral with said compression parallel ohord and said truss kforming chords, a transom havinr an inverted substantially Ushaped yoke, the legs of said yoke forming v"seats and having column members slidingly fitting in the lJ-shaped oolnmn guides, coll springs below said yoke mounted on said seats and on seat forming portions of said parallel tension chord, a bolster, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally supporting said spring plank on said transom members, and leaf springs disposed between and cooperating with said bolster and spring plank, said springs .extending between said legs of said yoke and between said coil springs to a point outside of said frames.

7. in a truck, the combination with tbe side frames 'having central openings, of a transom having the ends thereof disposed in said openings, means carried by said side frames for yieldably supporting said transom, a spring plank, spring plank hanger links swingably supporting said plank from said transom, a bolster, and yielflable means interposed between said bolster and said spring plank, said yieldable means being in 'the orm of elliptical spring means extending outwardly through the ripening in the transom and an opening in said side frame.

8., .in a trunk, the combination with side frames, eachl comprising compression and tension members converging adiacent their ends and being separated by centrally arranged spaced guide columns, a transom having its opposite ends projecting between said valide columns and being out out to ail'ord clearance between said guide columns, means carried by said ide frames for yiildably supporting said transom, a spring plan r, spring plank hanger links swingabl y supporting said plank irom said transmis, a bolster, and yieldable means interposed between said bolster and said spring plank, said yieldable means being in the torni of elliptical spring means ektending outwardly between the guide columns and through the cut-out portion of the transom adjacent each side trame.

9. yin a truck, the combination with side frames each having compression and tension members and centrally disposed spaced guide columns all integrall formed, a transom extending between said side frames and having its ends mounted for up and down movement between said guide columns, means carried by said side frames for yieldabl supporting said transom, a spring plan spring plank hanger links swingably supporting said plank from said transom, a bolster, and yieldable means interposed between said bolster and said spring plank, said yieldable means being in the form of elliptical spring means extending outwardly between said guide columns and beyond the adjacent end of said transom.

l0. In a truck, the combination of side frames having central openings defined by members forming a closed igure,`a transom having the end portions thereof extending into said openings, each of said end rtions having spaced depending mem rs, resilient means supporting said spaced members, a bolster, a spring plank, means for nlovably supporting said spring plank, and means interposed between said spring plank and bolster and extending between said depending members for movably supporting said bolster.

ll. in a truck, the combination of side 'trames having central openings defined by to? and bottom members of said frames, a transom having the end portions there :of extending into said openings, each of saifl end portions having spaced depending members, resilient means supporting said spaced members, a bolster, a spring plank, moans for swingably supporting said spring plank from said transom, and means interposed between said spring plank and bolster and extending between said depending members for resiliently support-ing said bolster.

l2, ln a truck, the combination of side frames having guide members, a transom having members cooperating with said guile members and defining an opening, resilient means disposed between said members and side trames for resiliently supporting said transom, a bolster, a spring plank, means for rnovably supporting said spring plank from said transom, and means interposed between said spring plank and bolster and extending between said guide members and second named members for rosiliently supporting said bolster.

lil. in a truck, the combination of side frames having journal boxes, spaced guide members on said side frames spaoed from said journal boxes, transom having members Cooperating with said guide members and defining an opening, resilient means disposed between said transom and said side frames for resiliontly supporting said transl'nn, a bolster, a spring plank, means .for movably snpporiing said spring plank 'from said ransom, and means interposed between sail spring plank and bolster and extending between said guide members and second named ,members for resiliently supporting said bolster.

14. In a transom, the combination of spaced member, said members being spaced apart wider adjacent their centers than at named parallel portions being spaced apart a greater distance than the first named parallel portions, said portions of each of said spaced members being connected by members diverging toward said second named parallel portions, and means on said transom formin a spring seat.

16. n a transom, the combination of spaced members provided with end connecting members, said first named members having parallel portions adjacent said end connecting members, and parallel portions adjacent'the center of saidv transom, said last named parallel portions being spaced apart a greater distance than the first named parallel portion, said portions of each of said spaced members being connected by members diverging toward said second named parallel portions, said end connecting members having spring seats thereon.

17. In a transom, the combination of spaced members provided with end connecting members, said first named members having parallel portions adjacent said end connecting members, and parallel portions adjacent the center of said transom, said last named parallel portions being spaced apart a greater distance than the first named parallel portion, said portions of each of said spaced members beingconnected by members diverging toward said second named parallel portions, said end connecting members having spring seats thereon and provided with vertically extending guide members.

18. In a transom, the combination of lspaced members spaced apart a greater distance adjacent the center of the transom length than at the ends thereof, members integrally connecting the ends of said members, said members having spring seats thereon.

19. In a transom, the combination of spaced members spaced apart a greater distance adjacent the center of the transom length than at the ends thereof, members integrally connecting the ends of said members, said members having spring seats thereon and provided with vertically extending guide members.

20. In a truck, the combination of side frames having openings therethrough, a

transom having its ends extended through' said openings. and resiliently supported within said openings by the side frames, a bolster, and leaf springs suspended from and lyin below said transom and underlying an supporting said bolster, each of said leaf springs extending outwardly through the opening in the proximate side frame and extending beyond `the proximate end of the transom.

21. In a truck, the. combination of side frames having openings therethrough, a transom having its ends extended through said openings and resiliently sup orted within said openings by the lower arc bars of the side frames, a bolster, and leaf springs suspended from and lying below said transom and underlying and supporting said bolster, each of sald leaf springs extending outwardly through the opening in the proximate side frame and extending beyond the proximate end of the transom.

22. In a truck, the combination of side frames having guide members, a transom having members within and cooperating with said guide members and defining an opening, means for movably supporting said transom on said frames, a bolster, a spring plank, means for movably supporting said spring plank from said transom, and means interposed between said spring plank and bolster and extending between said guidev members and second named members for resilientl supporting said bolster.

23. Iii a truck, the combination of trussed side frames having upper and lower chords, spaced channeled column guides between said chords, a transom, transom yokes having means engaging within the channel of said guides, a bolster, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said transom and spring plank, and springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank and disposed to partially project beyond saidV frames between the transom yokes.

24. In a truck, the combination of side frames having upper and lower chords, spaced column guides between said chords, a transom, transom yokes having columns within said guides and slidably enga 'ng said guides, resilient members supporte on the frame lower chord and supporting said yokes, a bolster, a spring plank, and supporting members between said bolster and spring plank and disposed to partially project beyond said frames between the transom yokes.

25. In a truck, the combination of side frames having upper and lower chords, spaced column guides between said chords, a transom resiliently supported on said side frames and having columns within and cooperating with said guides, a bolster, a

spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said transom and spring plank, and

springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank and partially projecting beyond said frames between the column ides.

26. In a truck, the combination of side frames having tension and compression members and guide columns forming openings in said frames, a transom member extending through the planes of said s1de frames and movably supported on said frames, a spring plank suspended from sald transom, elliptic springs disposed longitudinally of said transom on said spring plank and extending through the openings in said side frames, and a bolster mounted at its ends on said springs.

27. In a truck, the combination of side frames having tension and compression members and guide columns forming openings in said frames, a transom member extending Vthrough the planes of said side frames and resiliently supported by said frames and comprising beam members spaced apart and connected by cross members at its ends, a spring plank suspended from said transom, elliptic springs dispose/l longitudinally of said transom on said spring plank and extending through the openings in said side frames, and a bolster mounted at its ends on said springs and positioned between said spaced beams of the transom substantially in the plane thereof.

28. In a truck, the combination of side frames having openings therethrough, a transom having its ends extended through said openings and resiliently supported within said openings by the side frames, a bolster, and leaf springs suspended from and lying below said transom and underlying and supporting said bolster, each of said leaf springs extending outwardly through the openlng in the proximate side frame and extending beyond the proximate end of the transom.

29. In a truck, the combination of side frames having openings therethrough, a transom having its ends extended through said openings and resiliently supported within said openings by the lower arch bars of the side frames, a bolster, and leaf springs suspended from and lying below said transom and underlying and supporting said bolster, each of said leaf springs extending outwardly through the opening in the prox imate side frame and extending beyond the proximate end of the transom.

30. In a truck, the combination of side frames having guide members, a transom having members disposed between and cooperating with said guide members and defining an opening, means supporting said transom on said side frames, a bolster, a spring plank, means for movably supporting said spring plank from said transom, and means interposed between said spring plank and bolster and extending between said guide members and second named members for resiliently supporting said bolster.

31. In a truck, the combination of trussed side frames having upper and lower chords, spaced U-shaped column guides between said chords, a transom, transom yokes having means engaging said guides, means within the space defined by said column guides for supporting said transom on said lower chords, a bolster, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said transom and spring plank, and springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank and disposed to partially project beyond said frames between the transom yokes.

32. In a truck, the combination of side frames having upper and lower chords, spaced column guides between said chords, a transom having columns cooperating with said guides, a bolster, means movably supporting said transoms on said lower chords between said columns, a spring plank, swing hangers pivotally secured to said transoms and spring plank, and springs disposed between said bolster and spring plank and partially projecting beyond said frames between the column guides.

33. In a truck, the combination of a side frame having upper and lower chords, spaced facing U-shaped column guides between said chords, a transom member, said transom member having means cooperating with and embraced by said U-shaped column guides, a bolster, a sprin plank, and resilient members disposed etween the bolster and spring plank and disposed to partlally project beyond said frames.

34. In a transom, the combination of spaced members provided with end connecting members, said first named members having parallel portions adjacent said end connecting members, and parallel portions adjacent the center of said transom, said last named parallel portions being spaced apart a greater distance than the first named parallel portions, said portions of each of sa1d spaced melnbers being connected by members diverging toward said second named parallel portions.

35. In a transom, the combination of spaced members provided with end connecting members, said first named members having parallel portions adjacent said end connecting members, and portions adjacent the center of said transom, said last named portions being spaced apart a greater distance than said parallel portions, said portions of each of said spaced members bein connected by members diverging towar said second named portions, said end connecting portions having depending spring scat members, said depending seat members being within the named portions.

36. In a transom, the combination of a cross member, yokes provided thereon and having a member having a spring seat formed on the base thereof, and a guide portion formed on the side thereof.

37. In a transom, the combination of a cross member, yokes provided thereon and having spaced depending members each having a spring seat formed on the base thereof and each having a guide portion formed on the side removed from the adjacent depending member.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 21st day of October, 1927.

WILLIAM C. HEDGCOCK.

planes defining said second 

